Absorbent pack insertion into a human body cavity

Abstract

A pack insertion device for use with a cavity in the human body, such as a nose cavity, is provided that includes an introducer member and a liquid absorption assembly. The introducer member is preferably one piece that can have a body member with side walls that form a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the introducer member is a single unit that includes a main body section and a pivotal body section that holds the liquid absorption assembly when positioned for insertion into a nasal or sinus cavity. In this embodiment, the introducer member has side walls that have cut-out portions, an intermediate wall that functions as a floor, and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. In yet a further embodiment, the introducer member includes a single body having tapered side walls, an intermediate wall and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. The liquid absorption assembly includes an absorbent member having a rectangular cross-section. The absorbent member further includes aproximal end, a distal end and a terminating section that optionally includes a cuff containing a marker to detect the location of the absorbent member when positioned in a nose cavity. The absorbent member is expelled into the nasal or sinus cavity by pulling the string member, while withdrawing the introducer member from the nasal opening.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device engaged by a user for use with a cavity in the human body, comprising: 
       an introducer member having a hollow volume and an outlet, said introducer member including a body having first and second side walls, an intermediate wall and an elongated opening opposite said intermediate wall, portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a main body section and other portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a pivotal body section, with cut-out portions being located between said main body section and said pivotal body section; and  
       a liquid absorption assembly including an absorbent member having a length and including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a majority of said length of said absorbent member including said distal end extends exteriorly from said introducer member when said introducer member and said absorbent member are positioned for inserting said absorbent member into the cavity while said proximal end is held by said introducer member, said liquid absorption assembly further including a string member that is used to expel said absorbent member into the cavity by the user pulling on said string member and with no pushing on said absorbent member while said string member is being pulled.  
     
     
       2. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said liquid absorption assembly includes a terminating section having a width and said proximal end has a width, said terminating section width being greater than said proximal end width, with said proximal end being disposed in said hollow volume of said introducer member and exiting said introducer member through said outlet when said absorbent member is expelled into the cavity.  
     
     
       3. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said liquid absorption assembly includes a terminating section that includes a cuff member having a marker for use in identifying a location of said absorbent member in the cavity, said cuff member being different than each of said string member and said absorbent member.  
     
     
       4. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       at least two-thirds of said length of said absorbent member extends exteriorly of said introducer member when said introducer member and said absorbent member are positioned for expelling said absorbent member into the cavity.  
     
     
       5. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said string member has portions that can be connected externally of the cavity.  
     
     
       6. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said string member forms a loop capable of wrapping around an ear.  
     
     
       7. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said absorbent member is foam.  
     
     
       8. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said liquid absorption assembly includes a terminating section that is located adjacent to said cut-out portions of said introducer member.  
     
     
       9. A device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said cut-out portions enable pivotal movement of said pivotal body section during expulsion of said absorbent member from said introducer member into the cavity.  
     
     
       10. A device for use with a cavity in the human body, comprising: 
       an introducer member including a body having a hollow volume, an outlet, first and second side walls, an intermediate wall, and an elongated opening opposite said intermediate wall, with said first and second side walls tapering inwardly towards said elongated opening; and  
       a liquid absorption assembly including an absorbent member having a length and including a proximal end, a distal end and a terminating section that is located closer to said proximal end than to said distal end, wherein a majority of said length of said absorbent member including said distal end extends exteriorly from said introducer member when said introducer member and said absorbent member are positioned for inserting said absorbent member into the cavity while said proximal end is held by said introducer member.  
     
     
       11. A device for use with a cavity in a human body, comprising: 
       an introducer member including a body having first and second side walls, an intermediate wall, and an elongated opening opposite said intermediate wall, portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a main body section and other portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a pivotal body section, with cut-out portions being located between said main body section and said pivotal body section; and  
       a liquid absorption assembly including an absorbent member held by said introducer member for insertion into the cavity and a string member that is positioned for use in causing pivotal movement of said pivotal body section and thereby insertion of said absorbent member into the cavity.  
     
     
       12. A device for use with a cavity in a human body, comprising: 
       an introducer member including a body having first and second side walls, an intermediate wall, and an elongated opening opposite said intermediate wall that has a length at least substantially corresponding to lengths of said first and second side walls, portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a main body section and other portions of said first and second side walls, said intermediate wall and said elongated opening being part of a pivotal body section, with cut-out portions being located between said main body section and said pivotal body section; and  
       a liquid absorption assembly including an absorbent member held by said introducer member for insertion into the cavity.  
     
     
       13. A device, as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein: 
       said absorbent member includes a distal end, a proximal end and a terminating section located between said distal end and said proximal end, with said terminating section being of a different size than each of said distal end and said proximal end.  
     
     
       14. A device, as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein: 
       said absorbent member has a length, with less than a majority of said length of said absorbent member being located interiorly of said introducer member when said introducer member and said absorbent member are being positioned in the cavity.  
     
     
       15. A method for inserting an absorbent member into a cavity in a human body, comprising: 
       providing an introducer member holding the absorbent member, said absorbent member having a string member attached thereto;  
       positioning said absorbent member in a cavity;  
       engaging said string member by a user; and  
       expelling said absorbent member from the introducer member into the cavity by said string member being pulled by the user, said expelling step including starting said expelling by said string member being pulled by the user; and  
       connecting a portion of said string member adjacent to a body part in the proximity of the cavity after said expelling step.  
     
     
       16. A method for inserting an absorbent member into a cavity in a human body, comprising: 
       providing an introducer member holding the absorbent member, said introducer member including first and second side walls, an intermediate wall and an elongated opening opposite said intermediate wall, and said absorbent member extends above said elongated opening, said absorbent member having a string member attached thereto;  
       positioning said absorbent member in a cavity; and  
       expelling said absorbent member from the introducer member into the cavity using said string member.  
     
     
       17. A method, as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein: 
       said expelling step is conducted free of pushing on said absorbent member.  
     
     
       18. A method for inserting an absorbent member into a cavity in a human body, comprising: 
       providing an introducer member holding the absorbent member, said absorbent member having a string member attached thereto, said introducer member having a pivotal body section;  
       positioning said absorbent member in a cavity; and  
       expelling said absorbent member from the introducer member into the cavity using said string member, said expelling step including pivoting said pivotal body section using said string member.